Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness with Children

TOAM parent and board member, Andrea, was inspired to create a mission encouraging random acts of kindness among our children after someone was spontaneously kind to her. Sometimes those acts just happen and sometimes we have to plan them out a little bit. Below, you’ll find our list of ideas for acting with kindness towards others with children. If you’d like to share your RAOK with us, post a photo or story on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtags #RAOK and #TOAMMKE.

Some thoughts about performing Random Acts of Kindness with your children:

1. They will learn by watching YOU. So make sure you occasionally model the art of being kind to others.

2. Use your family language to explain why this is important to you and for the world.

“Let’s make someone smile right now.It feels good to be kind to others.Someone might notice us being kind and be inspired to be kind to someone else!Why not?”

Creating a habit of senseless, joyful kindness towards the others can be life-changing. Together, we can make it world-changing.

1. Rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbor

2. Bake treats and give them away to a friend or family member

3. Write a kind note (leave it for someone in their mailbox, on their school desk, in their locker, on the windshield of a car, and for tech-lovers, send a text or email). My kids like to record short videos on my phone to send to family and friends.

4. Give someone a gift card to Starbucks, Colectivo, Stone Creek, or The City Market.

31. Make bird feeders to hang outside for the winter birds. See this link from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for three bird feeder ideas.

32. Invite someone over to dinner.

33. Hold the elevator!

34. When your family discusses “their day” over dinner, make it a point to share when someone did something nice for you.

35. Make eye contact with the store clerk or cashier when they’re helping you.

36. If someone beats you in a competition, congratulate them. Do not pout and do not give an excuse for why you didn’t win.

37. Hand someone a tissue if they sneeze.

38. If someone asks you a question in conversation, ask them a question in return. Turn a common greeting like “How are you?” into an actual exchange.

39. Compliment your teacher.

40. Leave a tip or a special treat for the staff who cleans your hotel room.

41. Do a chore for a sibling or parent. Parents, see random act of kindness #28. Even if the chore is done below your standards. Let it be.

42. Smile and say hello to the people you pass on the street.

43. Offer to bring in a stranger’s shopping cart as you walk into the store

44. Push a shopping cart back into the store (rather than just to the corral)

45. Cheer on the men and women driving the snow plows from your porch (clap and wave!)

46. Bring treats for the construction workers at the future Northwestern Mutual building in downtown Milwaukee. (Hand them over to the men at the gate.)

47. Show appreciation to your crossing guard!

48. Create a Snowmageddon/Polar Vortex survival kit for your children AND yourself. (When you find craft projects or other little items on sale, pick them up and store them away until that day that will inevitably come this winter when everyone is climbing the walls from being stuck inside. Don’t want to spend $$? Hide semi-neglected toys left around the house for your “kit.” Bring out your survival kit and surprise everyone with your in-house RAOK. How is this a RAOK for you? Peace and quiet for a guaranteed five minutes.)